10 awesome reasons why you should visit Cambodia right now!

The magic of Angkor Wat

Nothing symbolises Cambodia better than the ancient and mysterious, vine-clad temple complex of Angkor Wat, which was constructed during the Khmer Empire (9th-15th Century). Located in Siem Reap, Cambodia, this breath-taking temple complex set amidst a thick jungle, houses the most iconic temples that you’ll ever set eyes on.

Local culture and Khmer People

image source: google.com

There is a reason why Cambodia is referred to as the ‘Land of Smiles’, and is also one of the friendliest countries in the world! Wherever you go, you will be welcomed by friendly locals, who will make you feel at home. Even the rural culture replete with stilted houses, floating villages, and lush rice paddy fields, is fascinating to the core.

Delicious food

image source: wikimedia

Cambodia is truly, a heaven for foodies. Be it delicious street food, fresh seafood, sauces, juicy burgers, rice and noodle preparations, curries, fresh juices, and what not, Cambodia has it all. They have their unique local flavours, and yes, the food is amazingly cheap.

Eccentric nightlife

Believe it or not, Cambodia is known to offer some of the craziest nightlife options ever. Whether you sweat it out at happening nightspots like ‘Angkor What?’ in Angkor Wat, or jam to Zeppelin numbers at Zeppelin Café in Phnom Penh, or sip whisky at the elegant, expat-friendly Foreign Correspondent Club; Cambodia’s ecstatic nightlife offers hedonism at its best.

Ancient history

To appreciate and understand Cambodia better, one needs to step back into its tumultuous history, under the Khmer Rouge rule. If history is something that interests you, Cambodia will not disappoint. Cambodia once used to be a territory of the Khmer Empire, and so you’ll see the entire country speckled with remarkable palaces, temples and mysterious ancient ruins, along with gory killing fields and prisons.

Bustling markets

image source: Wikimedia

The shopaholic in you will be thrilled by the lively and vibrant markets strewn across the country. These congested, narrow markets, are home to more goods than you can possibly imagine. Right from clothes to local delicacies to arts and crafts, these markets have it all.

Pristine beaches and islands

Why flock the crowded beaches and islands of Thailand, when you can get all that in Cambodia, too? That too with lesser crowds! Cambodia is home to numerous stunning and sparse beaches and islands including Sihanoukville, Kep, Koh Rong, Koh Samloem, Otres Beach or Koh Tonsay, which can pretty much give the other Asian beach destinations a run for their money!

Stunning landscapes

‘Land of Smiles’, ‘Land of Temples’ and yes Cambodia is also pretty well known for its breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. If you wish to have a glimpse, head straight to Phnom Kulen National Park, a very popular mountain waterfall park, located at about 45 kilometres from Krong Siem Reap. Enjoy trekking in the dense forest, take a dip in the mighty river that flows beneath or simply admire the stunning views of waterfall while you are there.

The floating villages

Yes! Not one village but three! Chong Khneas, Kampung Phluk, Kampung Khleang are the floating villages of Cambodia. Visiting these scenic beauties is a welcome break from the temples, historical monuments and other ‘touristy’ places.

Cambodia is safe!

Whether you are backpacker, honeymooning couple or a solo woman traveller, rest assured; you don’t have to worry about safety. More so in the bigger towns, for you will always find lots of tourists visiting Cambodia at any given point of time.